Little Icemen share words of wisdom

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The holidays often bring about a change in people as they exchange gifts, spend time with loved ones, and reflect on what is important.

During this time, people often discover that the best gifts and the most inspiring attitudes come in the smallest packages as is evident by the acts of kindness and words of wisdom from 5th graders on Eielson Air Force Base.

Mrs. Teresa Ellingson's 5th grade class shared their insight on various holiday topics showing a diverse understanding of good character and good will toward others.

"I just have a really good and caring class," said Mrs. Ellingson, a fifth grade teacher at Crawford Elementary School. "They're very helpful, copying papers and helping each other and keeping each other on task. It's really nice especially around this time of the year when it gets kind of busy."

For different people, doing things for others and giving gifts mean different things and serve different purposes. Michayla Malm's drive behind giving gifts is, "giving gifts makes other people's wishes come true."

Aaron Miller said, " I like giving gifts because it is kind and caring for one another and makes people feel special about themselves."

Michayla and Aaron not only embraced the idea of selflessness through gift giving but also understand that being good does not stop after the holidays.

Fellow students Hyrum Lutz and Constance Perez expressed their thoughts saying, people should be good not because they have to be or want to get something but because they want to be good.

Aaron said, "If they wanted respect they should give it to others."

Charlie Boyle thinks, "People should be good all year because it makes other people do good."

Many of the reasons the children say people should be good deals more with being a good role model and effecting changes in other people. No matter what other people's attitudes, the students have demonstrated they would try to make a difference.

Sierra Curtiss wrote, "I spread happiness and holiday spirit by giving gifts and always being there for others. "

Megan Hursh explained how she spreads the holiday spirit by helping those who need it. She said she would cheer someone who was sad by asking, "What was wrong and try to fix it."

If someone was sad because they wanted something someone else had Sierra said she would encourage the person to, "Think of all the things that you do have."

Constance would try to get their attention on something good by playing a game or switching the subject.

Michayla explained how she would take a different approach. She said, "I would tell them they are going to have the best Christmas ever, and I would make it happen."

The students all agreed that to lift someone's spirits, taking action to change their mood is instrumental in making a positive change.

"Kids in a lot of ways see things clearer or different than an adult," said Mrs. Ellingson. "When you talk to a child they can make a situation more simplistic than what we make it and it just seems like, oh, that made sense. Sometimes we make things a little harder than necessary and children have this tendency to clarify things."

People have described children as treasures, healers, unintentional teachers, and even a valuable natural resource. Once given the opportunity to speak, what comes out of a child's mind can unearth surprising thoughts and be pure gold.